South Africa captain and goalkeeper, Ronwen Williams, was the hero again as the team beat the Democratic Republic (DR) of Congo 6-5 on penalties in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) third-place game on Saturday night.
After a 0-0 draw following 90 minutes in Abidjan, Williams saved spot kicks from Chancel Mbemba and Meschack Elia to give Bafana Bafana the bronze medal in Cote d’Ivoire.
Before Elia had his kick saved, Siyanda Xulu converted to give South Africa what proved the decisive lead in the shootout.
Williams saved four shootout kicks last weekend to help South Africa get past Cape Verde after a goalless quarter-final.
DR Congo will regret many missed chances during regular time in a lively match while South Africa maintained a perfect record in third-place play-offs having beaten Tunisia on penalties 24 years ago.
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South Africa made three changes to the team beaten in a penalty shootout by Nigeria after an incident-packed semi-final three days ago.
Nkosinathi Sibisi, Thapelo Morena, and Mihlali Mayambela came in for suspended Grant Kekana and injured duo Mothobi Mvala and Percy Tau.
DR Congo retained only two of the side that lost to hosts Cote d’Ivoire in the other semi-final – captain and centre-back Mbemba and midfielder Samuel Moutoussamy.
But eight of the nine who were dropped sat on the bench, leaving French coach Sebastien Desabre with multiple options should he wish to make changes.
Although the Congolese had less of the ball in the opening half at Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny in the Ivorian economic capital, they were the more threatening team in the attacking third.
The captivating tournament concludes on Sunday in another Abidjan stadium with Cote d’Ivoire facing Nigeria in the final with a $7 million prize on the line.
The countries met at the group stage last month in the same venue and the Super Eagles won 1-0 thanks to a William Troost-Ekong penalty.
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